Note: Ah, the story is almost over! After this, there will be only one chapter. (Short, isn't it?) This is personally my favorite chapter. Dunno why… Anyway, I just want to thank all my reviewers (you guys are awesome!) and my friend, whose complaints about having Ray as her highest rating guy in MM inspired me to write this story.

Chapter Four: Reeled In

I wasn't really a housewife; I guess I was more like a fishwife. My mornings now consisted of me whipping up some Sashimi for Ray, watering and harvesting the plants, raising the animals, and then fishing all afternoon with my husband (who fished all day). He was no help at all. I was the only one supporting the family and it ticked me off. Women should definitely help with the income, but this was completely one-sided.

I walked inside the house one summer morning, sweaty from the day's work. Ray leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. His plate was empty save for a few crumbs.

"You make the best R. Trout Sashimi in the world, honey," Ray said to me happily.

"Try Ellen's," I muttered as I opened the fridge for some Very Berry Juice.

Ray laughed.

"Well, I like yours so much already. Say, do you want to go fishing down at Sunny Lake later today? It's a beautiful day—"

"No. And I'd like it if you never said that word again," I answered stiffly.

"What word? Beautiful?" he asked in confusion.

"Fish."

Ray looked as if I'd stabbed his heart.

"Harley, are you feeling okay?" he asked me with genuine concern.

"I'm fine," I replied, taking a sip of juice. "I'm just tired of fish. How about…we go to Moonlight Café tonight instead? I don't have to cook, and there's great food."

Ray shuffled his feet uncomfortably.

"Well, Harley, that sounds fine, but I think we should at least talk—"

"No time," I cut in swiftly. "I've got to drop off some of my eggs at Carl's then pick up some seeds from Liz's shop." And with that, I was out the door.

The dinner went on that night as planned. Ray and I were seated at the counter.

"I'll have a Veggie Salad, Duke," I requested the bartender. Ray grinned as he munched on his meal.

"Nothing better than a fish for a snack!" he exclaimed. My cold glare froze his smile. He sighed, then moved closer towards me. "Honey, we've got to talk. I'm a fisherman, so you can't expect me to stop saying the word 'fish.' It's ridiculous."

"No, it's not," I said stubbornly. "What's ridiculous is that you never help with our house funds."

Ray's face contorted in puzzlement.

"Wait—Is that what this is about?" he asked me. I picked at my salad.

"Maybe," I admitted.

Ray laughed.

"But that's untrue!" he protested. I dropped my fork, then spun around to face him.

"You're despicable, you know that?" I hissed. "How dare you take credit for all of my hard work! You're lazy, unreliable, and demanding! I don't even know why I married someone like you!" The whole café was staring at us, amazed that we, the perfect newlyweds, were having a lover's quarrel. Ray's face turned red.

"I provide food for the family, Harley. Isn't that enough?"

"NO, it's not!" I shouted, standing up. "Fishing hardly counts as a job, Ray! You were a HOBO before you married me! A hobo, Ray!"

"Harley, are you…okay?" Ray questioned me uneasily. If I was ticked before, I was furious now.

"NO, I'M NOT OKAY!" I screamed.

Ray stood up.

"Then that settles it. We're going to the Clinic."

"I DON'T NEED TO GO TO THE CLINIC!" I hollered indistinctively. "I'M JUST SICK OF YOU AND YOUR STUPID FISH!"

Ray looked to Duke and Woody for help, and the two men nodded. Next thing I knew, I was being shoved to Alex's Clinic.

"It's ten at night," a sleepy Alex protested. "We're closed."

"My wife's not feeling okay," Ray explained. "We thought you could give her a check-up."

"I'm feeling fine," I argued through gritted teeth. "Fine, fine, fine!"

Alex turned to Ray and nodded, then proceeded to examine me. I was totally unprepared for what happened next.

"I think Harley's pregnant," Alex stated.

And with that, my whole world came crashing down.